SB 251 Summary

• Removes remediation as a required function of Arkansas higher education institutions and eliminates multiple statutory provisions requiring remediation planning, reporting, and data collection by educational agencies.

• Transfers $13.9 million in annual general revenue funding from higher education institutions to other state priorities through monthly deductions beginning July 1, 2017, with amounts specified for each institution.

• Redirects one-third of transferred funds ($2.394 million annually) to law enforcement agencies (9% Highway Police, 45% State Police, 44% Community Correction, 2% Secretary of State) for officer training completion bonuses up to $2,000 each.

• Allocates remaining two-thirds of transferred funds to a Merit Adjustment Fund for state employee cost-of-living increases ($4.795 million annually) and to the Department of Transportation for snow and ice removal equipment ($4.75 million annually).

• Declares an emergency effective upon gubernatorial approval to implement these funding transfers for fiscal year 2018.